In order to perform controlled testing on the I-90 Innerbelt Bridge, traffic will be completely restricted on the bridge between approximately 12 Midnight and 2 a.m. overnight Thursday, October 9 into the early morning of Friday, October 10.Motorists may detour via I-77 and I-490.

During the day today, Wednesday, October 8, crews will continue with preparations to attach strain gauges by cleaning and preparing steel elements of the structure.

ODOT is partnering with experts from the University of Cincinnati and Case Western Reserve University to install strain gauges at several key points on the bridge. These strain gauges will measure how much the steel beams compress or stretch, allowing engineers to calculate the actual stress and strain being put on the bridge.

Previous inspections of the Innerbelt Bridge have shown that the steel members are aging faster than expected. Crews currently work to complete a new round of detailed inspections, using an ultrasonic thickness gauge to determine how much strength the steel has lost due to deterioration.

Two lanes in each direction will remain closed on the bridge until these new measurements can be made.ODOT Director James G. Beasley will then determine what additional action should occur, including any potential reinforcement of the existing structure or continued restrictions on traffic.

In December, ODOT announced a $140 million major rehabilitation and preservation project to address the bridge deck, a deficient drainage system and supporting members for the outside lanes. ODOT continues to work with its Innerbelt partners on building consensus for the overall $1.5 billion Innerbelt Modernization Plan.